Pen and paper vs. using an app to brainstorm ideas
After talking to other independent developers who build apps, many of them mentioned that they use pen and paper/iCloud notes over apps and tools, mainly due to easy of use and speed. Which method do you prefer?
Pencil and paper to draw diagrams, sketches, etc. Structured text files to capture thoughts that don't require pictures.
I actually have two desks in my office. One with three LCDs and minitower. Another facing a window with no technology, except the phone. Having a context shift helps better support the very different thinking modes.
Depends on the context. Planning some task list? Something that uses lines of text or task cards. Infrastructure? Draw.io.
I can't say I have a preference - what is easiest to access at the time will do. But never pen and paper - I'll need to share this anyway, so writing it twice seems like a waste of time.
I’ve been using draw.io to kinda play with and design high level architectures for some of my projects, mostly out of convenience. I don’t really write or draw stuff out by hand because I don’t usually have a writing utensil nearby.
For the last 30 years, 90% has been paper, and 10% has been via online notes or whiteboards. I've also led brainstorming sessions among engineering groups.
My process is
Pen & paper
Then mock-ups
Then high fidelity
Before showing to devs so that there is no ambiguity